Cut-off and transfer mechanism



Jan. 11, 193s. R, L, MLCOX 2,io5,387

CUT-OFF AND TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Jan. 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l mmh", 37 E 7. f a I Jan. 11,1938. R. L. WILCOX 2,105,387

GUT-OFF AND TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Jan. 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 77 INVENTOR RICH/RDL Esrrf? W/Lcox f. I/ f ATTQRNE;

Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES;-

PAT ENT O FF ICE GUT-OFF AND TRANSFER MECHANISM Application January 6,

23 claims.

This invention relates to new andimproved cut-olf mechanism of the type particularly adapted forA upsetting, heading machines, or the like.

In machines of the character indicated a rod length or a coil`of wire, herein referred to as a rod, is fed through a cut-off die, or the like,l a predetermined distance.'V That portion of the rod projecting beyond the cut-off die is severed therefrom on a line coincident with the face of the l cut-off dieand then becomes a blank. The blank is then transferred from its position in line with the cut-01T die to one wherein its axis is substantially coincident with that of an adjacent die. From this position it is projected into the die and an operation performed thereon.

The improved mechanism herein described re,- lates particularly to devices for cutting off aportion of the rod and carrying it to another die or dies.

o It is essential in some classes of work* that the cut-offr end of the blank should be square With the length thereof, that is, at a right angle thereto.

An object of this invention is to provide mechanism that willso sever the blank from the rod` that the end thereof will be at a right'angle to its length and transfer it from its cut-oli position to a succeeding die'or station for operations there- Other objects and novel features of the invenno, tion will appear from the description ofithe invention as herein set forth and illustrated in the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicateflike parts in the several figures;

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a porg, tion of an upsetting, headingmachine, or the like,

and ofthe cut-oif and transfer mechanism described herein, shown in its relative position at substantially the beginning of its forward or cutoff and transfer movement;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the parts, substantially as shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 1, with the cut-off and transfer mechanism shown in the position as it engages the rod at the beginning of thev cut-off or shearing operation;

Figure 4 is a similar view with the cut-off mech anism. shown as it begins-its return movement to its cut-off position after presenting the blank to the first die beyond the cut-off die;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cut-off and transfer mechanism and a portion of the carrier;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of some of: the parts taken generally upon line 6-6 of Figure 3; and;`

1937, Serial N0. 119,240

Figure 7 isa transverse sectional view of some ofthe parts taken generally upon line 'I-I of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, I0 indicates the body of a header, upsetting machine or the like, in which. is fixed a die block II, carrying plural dies, that is, a cut-off die I2 and a fabricating die I3.

In the drawings only two of these dies are shown, but the number thereof may be increased as seems desirable or may be necessary.

Through the cut-off die a rod I4 is intermittently fed by anyv suitable means well known in the art.

It is customary that the inward limit of the movement ofthis intermittent fed should be determined by adjustable mechanism, such as a stop device, or the like, not shown, but well known.

The above-described mechanism is old and well known and constitutes no part of the present in- Actuatediby mechanism well known in the art, so asfto derive a reciprocatory movement within a bushing I6, or the like, is a'carrier I5. 'I'he inner end of this carrier is shaped so as to provide a substantially flat face I'I terminating at its inner end in an angular wall I8. While the carrierV I5 is shown as moving in a substantially straight path, it may within the spirit and scope of this invention move in a curved or other path.

'Ihe numeral I9 indicates the knife holder, which has a tail `piece 20, one wall of which rests against the face I'I with the rear end thereof abutting against the angular wall I8; This knife holder I Bis separably secured to the carrier by the screw 2l, or the like which passes through the carrier and is threaded into the tail piece, substantially as shown in Figure 6.

In the inner wall of the knife holder I9 is a recess, within which is secured, by a screw 22, or the like, the fixed knife 23, the forward end of which projects beyond the knife holder. Journaled on a stud 24 adjacent to the outer wall of the knife holder is the carrier member 25, having a tailpiece 26. Secured to this carrier member 25vby the screw 2l,V or the like, is the movable knife 28.

To insure the maintenance of the fixed relation of the carrier member 25 and movable knife 28 a recess is provided in the adjacent face of d `position is substantially vas shown in Figure 3.

of the knife 23 is cut away at 30, substantially as shown in Figure 4, the inner end 3l of which is curved with a radius substantially the same as that of the rod.

The lower face of the movable knife 28 has a curved opening 32 therein, the radius of which is substantially the same as that of the rod, so that when the knives are in substantially the position shown in Figures 3 and 5 they surround the rod approximately 270 and grip the same for the major portion of its circumference.

As the surface of the cut .away portion is in substantially the same plane as the underside of the blank, it provides support therefor during the first portion of the return movement of the carrier and while the blank is being projected into the die l 3.

For rods of different diameters new knives having openings therein to correspond in diameter with that of the rod may be substituted.

The rear face 33 of the movable knife 28 when in its down position engages a wall on the fixed knife 23. One side of the movable knife 28 in its down position is in engagement with the lip 35 and on the other side is ush with and movable across the face of the cutter die l2 and the face of the die block l l (Fig. 7). Thus, the movable knife 28 is held against lateral movement and there are no joints, bearings, or the like, to wear, disturb or disarrange this assured rigid position relative to the rod and blank.

In operation the rod is projected through the cut-off die when the cut-off and transfer mechanism is in substantially its rearmost position, as shown in Figure 1, at which time the movable knife 28 is in its open position. This open position results from the engagement by the tail piecel 26 on the carrier member 25 with a face of the cam piece 3l, which is adjustably secured to the body lli by screws 38 or the like.

Shortly after the inward movement of the carrier has begun, the tail pieceV 26 rides off the cam face and the spring 29 causes the movable knife 28 to swing to its down position and enclosing the projecting portion of the rod I 4. Its then rIhese knives jointly sever the projecting portion of the rod on the line coincident with the face of the cut-off die during the continued movement of the carrier and the cut-off portion, now a blank, is carried into a position wherein the axis of the blank is coincident with the opening in the next succeeding die i3.

After the blank has been projected into the die a suicient distance to support it, the carrier begins its return movement and the movable knife 28, by reason of its flexible mounting, swings free over the blank and is returned and ready for another cut-off operation. During this return movement the tail piece 26, on the carrier member 25, engages the cam face of the cam piece 31, actuates said carrier member and movable knife 23, and holds the same in its open position ready for its next forward stroke. Adjustment of the relative position of the cam piece 31 insures a proper timing of the movement of the movable knife 28.

As the rod is gripped firmly by the knives parallel to its length and the latter must maintain such relative position, irrespective of the strain that may be placed thereon by severing the rod, the sheared ends of the rod must necessarily be at a right angle to its length.

The rod cannot bend as it is sheared off, neither can that portion thereof in front of the face of the cut-off die be moved into an angular position relative to said face. That face of the movable knife 28 which is adjacent to the face of the die block Il is relatively wide, and being held against lateral movement by the lip 35 and carrier member 25, a movement exactly parallel with the axis of the rod is assured, with the result that the cut is square rather than angular or otherwise. The inner face of the carrier member 25 is substantially parallel with the face of the die block Il and the adjacent wall of the knife holder I9. Thus the movable knife 28 is further held against any possible lateral motion while under labor. The fixed knife 23, being rigidly secured to the carrier l5, cannot possibly have any lateral movement.

Numerous modifications, changes and rearrangements of the structure may be adopted within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a, carrier or the like; and plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever a portion of the rod, one knife fixedly and the other movably.

2. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; and plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier and toward and away from the fixed knife, the opposing faces of these'knives when substantially in Contact with each other almost completely surrounding the rod.

3. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; and plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever a portion of the rod, one knife fixedly and the other movably, the movable knife being so positioned that one face thereof is adjacent to the face of the cut-off die and the opposite face thereof adjacent to a part xed to the carrier and whereby the knife is held against relative movement while under labor during the cut-off operation.

4. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever a portion of the rod, one knife fixedly and the other movably; and means for so mounting the movable knife that it is flanked upon opposite sides by non-yielding walls..

5. In mechanism of the character described,

wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die a carrier or the like; plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever a portion of the rod, one knife iixedly and the other movably; and means for so mounting the movable knife that it is flanked upon opposite sides by non-yielding walls while the rod is being severed.

6. Inmechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; and plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever a portion of the rod, one

knife fixedly and the other movably, the movable knife during the severing operation having contact with four non-yielding walls.

7. In mechanism of the character described,

wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die;

CII

knife having ra cutaway portion, the inner end of whichis substantially the same shape asapproximately one-quarter of said periphery.

8. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movablein relation to the carrier; and yielding meansv that exerts its tension to move and maintain the movable knife to its position in engagement with the fixed knife.

9. In mechanism of Athe character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one'knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; a car rier member; and means for securing the movable knife to the carrier member, whereby the movable knife will be caused to travel toward and away from the fixed knife in part by the carrier member.

l0. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; a carrier member; means for securing the movable knife to the carrier member, whereby the movable knife will be caused to travel toward and away from the fixed knife in part by the carrier member; and means for positively actuating the carrier member during a portion of the movement of the carrier.

11. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; a ca rrier member; means for securing the movable knife to the carrier member, whereby the mov able knife will be caused to travel toward and away from the fixed knife in part by the carrier member; and means, as a cam or the like, for positively actuating the carrier member during a portion of the movement of the carrier.

12; In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; a carrier member; means for securing the movable knife to the carrier member, whereby the movable knife will be caused to traveltoward and away from the fixed knife in part by the carrier member; and a member in the path of the carrier member, whereby during the movement of the carrier the carrier member is in engagement with the member and actuated thereby.

13. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-olf die; a die block; a cut-o die mounted therein, the face being substantially iiush with that of the die; a carrier or the like; plural knives mounted means for mounting said carrier member, whereby one face thereof is substantially parallel with that of the face of the die block. 14. In mechanism of the character described,

Y wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-olf die;

a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; a carrier member; means for securing the movable knife to the carrier member, whereby the movable knife will be caused to travel toward and away from the fixed knife in part by the carrier member; a cam in the path of the carrier member, whereby during the movement of the carrier the carrier member is in engagement with the cam and actuated thereby; and yielding means resisting the action of the movable knife when the same is actuated through the carrier member.

l5. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a die block; a cut-off die in said die block; a fabricating die in said die block; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; and means for mounting the movable knife, whereby it will co-operate with the fixed knife to sever that portion of the rod projecting through the cut-off die and hold such portion during the further movement oi' the carrier and present the same in line with the fabricating die.

16. In mechanism of the character described; a carrier; a knife holder secured thereto; a carrier member mounted on the knife holder; a fixed knife secured to the knife holder; and a movable knife secured to the carrier member.

17. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a die block; a cut-off die mounted therein, the face being substantially iiush with that of the die block; a carrier or the like; a knife holder with a forwardly projecting lip fixed to the carrier and having one face substantially parallel with the face of the die holder; a carrier member on the knife holder; a knife fixed to the knife holder and projecting in advance of said lip; and a movable knife fixed to the carrier member with one face thereof adjacent to the inner face of said lip.

18. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cutl-oif die; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being fixed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; a carrier member with which the movable knife has an interlocking connection; and means for separably securing the knife to the carrier member, whereby the movable knife will be caused to travel toward and away from the fixed knife in part by the carrier member.

19. In mechanism cf the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-off die; a die block; a cut-off die in said die block; a fabricating die in said die block; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being xed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; and means for mounting the movable knife, whereby it will co-operate with the fixed knife to sever that portion of the rod projecting through the cut-off die and hold such portion during the further movement of the carrier and present the same in line with the fabricating die, the movable knife lifting from the blank after the same has been in part projected into the fabricating die and during the first portion of the return movement of the carrier.

20. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a rod is advanced through a cut-ofi die; a die block; a cut-off die in said die block; a fabricating die in said die block; a carrier or the like; plural knives to sever a portion of the rod, one knife being xed and the other movable in relation to the carrier; and means for mounting the movable knife, whereby it will co-operate with the fixed knife to sever that portion of the rod projecting through the cutoff die and hold such portion during the further movement of the carrier and present the same in line with the fabricating die, during the return movement of the carrier, the movable knife moving upon its pivot mounting and being disengaged from the blank as it is projected in the fabricating die, at which time the substantially straight wall of the cutaway portion of the fixed knife supports the blank upon the underside thereof.

2l. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a portion of a rod is severed at a cutoff die or the like; a carrier or the like; and plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever such rod portion, one knife xedly and the other movably, the movab-le knife during the severing operation having contact with a plurality of non-yielding walls.

22. In mechanism of the character described,

wherein a portion of a rod is severed from Ithe rod at a cut-off die or the like, and lsuch por- 'tion transferred to and projected into a fabricating die or the like; a carrier; plural knives mounted on the carrier to sever said portion and carry it to the fabricating die, `one knife supporting said portion in part while being projected into the die; and means for moving one of said knives to its open position during the withdrawal movement of the -cutter and maintaining such position until it is closed at the next forward movement of the carrier.

23. In mechanism of the character described, wherein a portion of a rod is severed from the rod at a cut-off die or the like, and such portion transferred to and projected into a fabricating die or the like; a carrier; a cutter having plural knives on the carrier to sever said portion and carry it to the fabricating die, and means for moving one of said knives to its open position during the withdrawal movement of the cutter and maintaining such position until it is closed at the next forward movement of the carrier.

RICHARD LESTER WILCOX. 

